[Floridastateparks] Florida State Parks E-Newsletter - September 2011

Thu Sep 1 12:17:35 EDT 2011

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September 1, 2011 – Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @FLStateParks

www.FloridaStateParks.org/enewsletter/<http://www.FloridaStateParks.org/enewsletter/>

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Two boys read a book at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, Fla.

Celebrate Florida Literacy Month in September
~ Reading is fun for people of all ages. ~

Reading and literacy are important – especially during the  back-to-school season. Students can get off to a good start by reading a book at one of Florida’s state parks, which are offering free admission for Sunday, Sept. 11, in honor of Florida Literacy Month. Just bring a library card, a book checked out from a library or donate a new or gently used family-friendly book.*

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott will join us to celebrate International Literacy Day on Thursday, Sept. 8 with a special event at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee.

Throughout the month, many state parks will host special events that vary from book giveaways to reading with a park ranger and reciting poetry.

Examples of events:

·         Book Giveaway at Wakulla Springs

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

Evening of Friday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 11

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park in partnership with the Wakulla County Public Library and Wakulla Springs Lodge invites park guests to enjoy the Lodge Lobby as they search through hundreds of titles for favorite books to make their own.

·         “Poetree” in the Park

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2-4 p.m.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear, create and share poetry. Special event activities include poetry readings and refreshments among the trees, creative poetry writing exercises, open mic poetry readings and individual poetry readings on a walkabout through the gardens.  Participants may wish to bring cameras, water, sunscreen, bug repellant and walking shoes.

·         Barnacle, Book, Birds and Boats

The Barnacle Historic State Park

Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Children will earn a book for completing a series of reading-related activities on the lawn of The Barnacle. Or, pack a picnic and a good book and spend the day just reading in this quiet oasis within the bustle of Miami.

·         Literacy Day

O'Leno State Park

Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

O’Leno State Park is celebrating Literacy Day with Magic and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses along with local authors and guest readers.  There will be nature arts and crafts and games for young readers. Free with regular park admission of $5 per vehicle, up to eight people.

Find more Literacy Month events<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events.cfm>.

* Excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

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Two volunteers dig a hole before planting a tree at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee, Fla.

Volunteer Opportunities are plentiful in September
~Volunteering is a common theme for International Coastal Cleanup Day and National Public Lands Day ~

In September, many opportunities for volunteering and light breezes entice people outside.

Saturday, Sept. 17, is International Coastal Cleanup<http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/international-coastal-cleanup-11.html> Day, where volunteers pick up trash from lakes, streams, rivers and the ocean. Saturday, Sept. 24, is National Public Lands Day<http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/search?state=Florida>, America’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands. Current Problems, Inc., in Gainesville is organizing the Great Suwannee River Cleanup, a month-long effort to collect litter. Visit their website for a schedule of volunteer opportunities<http://www.currentproblems.org/>.

For Florida, volunteers will be cleaning up and enhancing our public lands and beaches from Pensacola to Jacksonville and south to Florida Keys. Find opportunities at state parks<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events.cfm> and Eco-Volunteer USA<http://www.eco-volunteerusa.org/projects>.

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Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione presents Bill Allman with the Employee of the Year Award with District Three Chief Larry Fooks.

Employee of the Year
~ Central Florida employee among many honored for outstanding and dedicated service. ~

The Florida Park Service recently presented the 2010 Florida State Parks Employee of the Year Award to Bill Allman, Operations and Management Consultant for the Florida State Parks District Three Administration. Allman was selected out of the more than 1,000 full time staff who manage and operate Florida’s 160 state parks.

Bill began his career with the Florida Park Service in 2004 as an accountant in District Three. In August 2006, he was promoted to Operations and Management Consultant. Nominated by a coworker, Bill is a highly respected and well-liked individual who uses his creativity and years of knowledge to answer any question or need that may arise in his district office, which oversees 29 state parks from St. Johns to Indian River counties along the east coast. Versatile, problem-solver, reliable and organized are terms often used to describe Bill’s consistent and helpful work ethic. Beyond the qualities of a seasoned professional, he is widely commended on the level of respect he pays to each individual he encounters every day.

Each year, the Florida Park Service formally recognizes full and part-time employees and volunteers for outstanding contributions and for noteworthy personal achievement or actions. The Florida Park Service Employee of the Year Award honors the employee who continually exhibits an attitude of dedication to the state park system, enthusiasm for the job, self motivation and cooperation in dealing with others. The recipient must have satisfactory service with the park service and routinely contribute to the accomplishment of the mission, objectives, goals and responsibilities of the Florida Park Service. Other awards presented by the Florida Park Service to staff statewide include:

Joe Kenner Award for Interpreter of the Year

 *   Michelle Waterman, Park Ranger, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Hank Smith Award for Excellence in Research

 *   Elizabeth Gandy, Environmental Scientist, District Four Administration
Division Team Award

 *   District Four Administration CPR/First Aid Training Team
Public Service Award

 *   Tricia Fowler, Park Ranger, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
 *   Betty Baust, Park Ranger, Stump Pass Beach State Park
Distinguished Service Award

 *   Dale Kendrick, Operations and Management Consultant II, District Two Administration
 *   Dylan Gavagni, Assistant Park Manager, Tomoka State Park
 *   Brian Polk, Manager, De Leon Springs State Park
 *   Patrick Potts, Park Services Specialist, Hillsborough River State Park
 *   Thelma Proctor, Education and Training Specialist, District Four Administration
 *   Gail Baxley, Park Planner, Office of Park Planning
Lifesaver Award

 *   David Hramika, Waterpark Manager, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
 *   Jeffrey Fox, Park Ranger, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
 *   Joseph Hayes, Maintenance Mechanic, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
 *   Danny Turbet, Park Ranger, Jonathan Dickinson State Park
 *   Jay Mann, Park Ranger, Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

Family Fun in September and October 2011

·         September is Florida State Parks Literacy Month and Library Card Sign-Up Month.

·         Thursday, Sept. 8, International Literacy Day.

·         Saturday, Sept. 10, kick-off event for Great Suwannee River Clean Up at Ivey Memorial Park in Branford, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schedule of Month-Long Activities<http://www.currentproblems.org>

·         Saturday, Sept. 10, 7th Annual Fire Fest and Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party<http://www.floridastateparks.org/savannas/events.cfm?viewevent=7294#7294> at Savannas Preserve State Park, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

·         Sunday, Sept. 11, admission is waived to all state parks* for anyone who has a library card, a book checked out from a library or donates a new or gently used book.

·         Saturday, Sept. 17, International Coastal Cleanup.

·         Saturday, Sept. 24, National Public Lands Day.

·         Saturday, Sept. 24, 10th Annual Marion County Springs Festival<http://www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver/events.cfm?viewevent=7105#7105> at Silver River State Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

·         Thursday, Sept. 29, Deadline to register for Paddle Florida<http://www.paddleflorida.org> trip on Suwannee River Wilderness Trail (Oct. 13-20)

·         Saturday, Oct. 22, Make a Difference Day<http://www.usaweekend.com/section/MDDAY>.

*Excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

Special Events around Florida
·         Northwest Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-northwest.cfm>
·         Northeast Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-northeast.cfm>
·         Central Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-central.cfm>
·         Southwest Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-southwest.cfm>
·         Southeast Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-southeast.cfm>

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